Hadrian's Villa

Hadrian's Villa is an incredible historical site located in Tivoli, Italy. Although the walk to the villa can be challenging in the summer heat, it is definitely worth the effort. The villa is filled with fascinating ancient constructions and beautiful spots to explore. We visited on a Saturday morning and spent nearly three hours wandering the site. We found plenty of shade throughout our visit, although there are areas that are exposed to the sun. It was interesting to see small groups with guides, and we were unsure if they were independent guides or ones that could be booked through the site. While we walked to the villa from our accommodation, there is parking available on-site for €3 for cars (motorbikes are free). Admission to the villa costs €13, but there is an option to purchase a combined ticket for €26, which includes entry to Villa D'Este and Santuario Ercole Vincitore. We highly recommend visiting Hadrian's Villa alongside Villa D'Este as they complement each other well. The grand size of the buildings, the layout of the terrain, and the historical significance of the complex, built by Emperor Hadrian, who was an art lover, make the trip more than worthwhile. It is like indulging in antiquity. We visited as part of a tour that also included Villa d'Este, so we cannot speak to the price of individual admission. However, if we did not have a tour guide, it would have been challenging to understand the significance of the villa and its history, as there were not many informational signs around the grounds. Nevertheless, the villa itself is truly stunning and definitely worth seeing. Hadrian's Villa offers a peaceful excursion just a short distance from Rome. It is a pleasant walk through fascinating ruins with breathtaking views. The only downside is that transportation away from the villa can be a bit challenging. Overall, Hadrian's Villa is an absolute must-visit. It provides an immersive experience in the past, surrounded by nature, in a remarkably preserved Roman site. Spending 2-3 hours exploring the villa is a rewarding experience. It is unfortunate that over time, the site has been stripped of its stones and marbles to construct nearby buildings. The archaeological park is vast and well-preserved, with buildings and structures that have stood the test of time. If traveling from Rome, you can easily reach the area by taking the Cotral Bus from Ponte Mammolo station (Metro B) to Tivoli, which takes approximately 45 minutes. From there, it is a walk of about 1.3 km to the park, as indicated by signs near the bus stop. There is also a local bus that passes by the park in Tivoli, but we were unaware of this at the time of our visit. We were impressed by the size of Hadrian's Villa, but unfortunately, we were unable to explore the entire site due to limited daylight. It's a shame that the villa was not preserved as it should have been in the past. Our tour guide explained that there was initially not enough funding to properly preserve the villa, resulting in much of it being reduced to rubble. However, it is still possible to imagine what the villa looked like in its heyday. Overall, the ancient buildings at Hadrian's Villa are remarkably well-preserved and offer a glimpse into the past. We recommend having a guide or a map to enhance your visit and better understand the significance of the ruins.